What Cards Does Square Not Accept? The Complete Guide

To answer the question directly upfront: Square does not accept prepaid bank cards, virtual wallet apps like PayPal or Venmo, and some obscure or country-specific card brands without a Visa/Mastercard/Amex logo.

As you‘ll see below, Square accepts all major credit, debit and prepaid cards issued by the big card networks like Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, JCB and UnionPay. But there are some limitations around niche or international card products that you need to be aware of.

In this detailed guide, I‘ll give you an in-depth look at exactly what card types Square can and can‘t process, some smart tips for troubleshooting any payment issues, and whether Square is the right solution for your small business credit card processing needs. With over 10 years of experience analyzing data in the finance sector, I hope I can provide valuable insights to help inform your decision and maximize success.

Overview of Supported Card Brands

The core cards accepted by Square include:

Credit Cards

– Personal credit cards
– Small business credit cards
– Corporate cards

Debit Cards

– Bank-issued debit cards
– Prepaid debit cards

Mobile Wallets

– Apple Pay
– Google Pay
– Samsung Pay

And the major card networks supported:

Card Brands

– Visa
– Mastercard
– American Express
– Discover
– JCB
– UnionPay
– Diners Club

As you can see, all of the most popular card brands are supported. According to 2021 statistics from The Nilson Report, here is the market share breakdown of purchase volume on credit, debit and prepaid cards in the US:

Key Takeaway

Square accepts well over 90% of the card market share in the United States. This makes it highly likely you‘ll be able to accept payments from your customers‘ cards.

Exceptions: Cards Square Can‘t Process

While Square has broad card acceptance overall, there are some less common card types it does not support:

Prepaid Bank Cards

These are prepaid cards issued directly by a bank rather than through Visa, Mastercard, etc. Examples include prepaid cards from Green Dot or Netspend. Without a card network logo, Square cannot process payments from them.

Gift Cards

Standalone merchant or mall gift cards cannot be processed by Square. Branded gift cards with a Visa, Mastercard or Amex logo are accepted.

Virtual Wallets

PayPal, Venmo, cryptocurrency platforms and other "e-wallet" apps do not work for making payments through Square. These tend to lack refund capabilities.

Country-Specific Cards

Some debit or prepaid cards issued exclusively for domestic use in a particular country may not work outside their home region. Always check Square‘s website for updated compatibility.

Obscure Card Brands

Very small card networks like China UnionPay or Diner‘s Club have limited support globally. Their cards are hit-or-miss for acceptance.

Here is a breakdown of the niche card market share that Square does not support:

Key Takeaway

The obscure card types Square doesn‘t accept make up less than 2% of the total US card market. For most businesses, these limitations will have minimal impacts on being able to accept customer payments. But it‘s still important to be aware of them!

Troubleshooting Tips for Declined Cards

If you do run into a situation where a customer‘s card is declined by Square, here are some troubleshooting steps to take:

Verify Card Details

First, confirm that the card number, expiration date, CVV code, billing ZIP code, and name are all entered correctly. Small errors can easily cause a decline. Ask to physically examine the card if needed.

Check Card Activation

For new cards or prepaid gift cards, ensure the card has been properly activated by the issuer before use. Until activation is completed, payments will not go through.

Contact the Issuer

Reach out to the card issuing bank or card network directly if other troubleshooting doesn‘t identify the problem. They can check if the account has sufficient funds, doesn‘t have any security holds or country restrictions, etc.

Try Manually Entering the Card

As a test, manually type the card into Square instead of swiping or dipping. This will bypass any issues with your card reader or chip cards not making full contact.

Request Another Form of Payment

If you continue having problems processing a particular card with Square, politely ask the customer if they have another card you could try or if they would be willing to pay with cash.

Offer to Invoice the Customer

For larger transactions, offer to send a Square invoice and have the customer pay it online later using their preferred card or payment method.

Just remember to maintain a friendly, helpful tone when troubleshooting declined cards to keep your customers‘ trust!

Linking a Bank Account to Square

To enable payouts from your Square balance and support refunds on credit/debit purchases, you need to link a valid bank account:

Accounts That Work

• Checking or savings accounts
• Accounts that support ACH transfers
• Many small business accounts

Accounts That Don‘t Work

• Prepaid debit cards
• Virtual accounts like PayPal
• Credit card accounts
• Brokerage or investment accounts

Be sure to always enter your account details carefully to avoid errors. If your bank is not supported for instant transfers from Square, adding a debit card as a backup link is recommended for faster payouts.

Keeping your linked bank account active is crucial. If the account closes, be sure to update your payout details in Square as soon as possible to avoid any disruptions.

Is Square the Right Choice for Your Business?

Accepting credit/debit card payments with Square comes with many advantages:

Higher Sales

• Card payments drive 27% higher sales compared to cash-only businesses. [Source: Square Internal Data]

Better Security

• Reduce risks associated with handling large cash amounts. Credit cards help deter theft.

Fast Transactions

• Card payments finalize in seconds. Less waiting compared to checks or bank transfers.

Customer Rewards

• Let your customers earn credit card points, miles, cash back, etc. to keep them happy.

Access to Capital

• Good credit card sales help businesses qualify for working capital loans and lines of credit.

Payment Flexibility

• Accept payments online, in-person, on invoices, and via mobile devices.

Robust Analytics

• Detailed sales reports help you make smarter business decisions.

Affordable Pricing

• Square offers straightforward rates starting at 2.6% plus $0.10 per transaction – no hidden fees.

For most modern businesses, accepting credit and debit cards is a necessity to thrive. Based on its widespread card acceptance, fair pricing, advanced software, responsive support, and excellent track record with over 2 million merchants, Square is a top choice for any small business‘ payment processing needs.

I hope this detailed guide gives you confidence that Square can handle accepting payments from the vast majority of your customers‘ credit/debit cards. Let me know if you have any other questions!